A cabriolet version of the Toyota GT86 will be revealed at the Geneva motor show next March, insiders have hinted.

Although nothing has yet been confirmed, it’s understood the GT86 cabriolet will use an electronically operated folding fabric roof rather than a heavier retractable hard-top in order to contain weight increases.

Still to be seen is how Toyota will package the GT86 coupé’s two small rear seats, if it all, and where the roof will be stored without sacrificing too much luggage capacity.

The cabriolet, particularly important for the US market, is likely to retain the coupé’s 197bhp normally aspirated 2.0-litre engine.

Weight gains are understood to be small, limiting the impact on performance. Suspension is likely to be slightly softened to deal with lower body stiffness.

While the cabriolet is yet to be officially declared, the chief engineer of Toyota’s sports cars, Tetsuya Tada, did confirm that a performance version of the GT86 was in the works.

But rather than using forced induction, the honed GT86 is likely to use hybrid drive to provide extra boost without impacting economy. Tada said a GT86 performance hybrid with around 250bhp was in development in Japan, with an on-sale date of 2015 mooted.

Tada suggested the test mule uses a super-capacitor rather than batteries — the same principle that led Toyota to win this year in the World Endurance Championship with a prototype race car.

“When a performance version of GT86 is announced, you will be surprised,” said Tada. “These days, the public does not accept a sports car that uses too much petrol and has high CO2 emissions.”

Tada said super-capacitor technology was too expensive for road cars just now, but that Toyota was working with electronics specialists to solve the issue, and that the performance GT86 could not go to market with a high price if it was to be competitive.

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The convertible looks very nice, but I like that last part of the article about the hybrid drive for the extra boost. Ive seen Porsche do the same thing with their 918 I think it was. Excited about that. Maybe even trade in my regular FR-S when that comes out. I like the idea of an electric engine due to more low end torque.

Yeah. Im really exited about the more CO2 friendly performance model!
This is the first time I have read anything about a release date/year. 2015 could be a very good year!
There have been rumors about a larger bore at 2.2l, with supercharger and electricity. That would give the car all the wanted throttle response with the much needed torque and more power. And also make it suitable for the future with lower emissions. But this rumor says no forced induction.
Either way im crossing my fingers for 100g Co2 (per km, if not better) and 250hp combined with "heaploads" of torque from 1500-7000rpm and a better soundtrack.

Could not care less for the cabriolet tough. That render looks good, but car just lost its balls when they cut the roof of it... But if I were into a cabriolet, that would probably be it!

They should have make a turbo charged version before the convertible. I heard people demands turbo all the time, have not heard anyone wants a convertible.

The Cab is a cash cow for the company, they need to recoup some of their investment in this risky project. Also, have you literally read nothing? No turbo for FRS - it's been confirmed many times, hell even in this article

I think the super-capacitor route is great, I don't see myself being an early adopter of the tech and will let others have the teething fun but I welcome it. What I'm most curious for is the 2014 changes, that blue action package prototype looks great and if the rumor speak comes to fruition - 4.10 gearing, mechanical diff, Sachs dampers, better sounding exhaust, BBS wheels and less weight (how I wish) for $27,000 msrp would be an excellent toy. This is what Scion should be - let it be a niche company, let them build their profit models (tC, frs cab, xD) and offer unique, quirky, fun choices (iQ, xB) like the super-capacitor and prototype/club racer-esque versions.

Let the Subaru boys build a FI limited BRZ at $33k to slot between the WRX and STI. But that needn't come out until the hype of the current model dies down, 2014/2015 would be a good time.

The Cab is a cash cow for the company, they need to recoup some of their investment in this risky project. Also, have you literally read nothing? No turbo for FRS - it's been confirmed many times, hell even in this article

Lol, my thoughts exactly..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

What I'm most curious for is the 2014 changes, that blue action package prototype looks great and if the rumor speak comes to fruition - 4.10 gearing, mechanical diff, Sachs dampers, better sounding exhaust, BBS wheels and less weight (how I wish) for $27,000 msrp would be an excellent toy.